Net metering for rooftop solar in India — what homeowners should know

Net metering lets your rooftop solar export surplus units to the grid and adjust your bill for what you consume net of generation. Sealix advises; we are not your DISCOM and not your installer. Before diving into meter paperwork, run the free home check to see if solar economics fit your bill.

How net metering works (plain English)

During sunny hours, your panels may produce more than your home uses. A bi-directional (net) meter records both import from the grid and export to the grid. At billing time, your DISCOM applies its published settlement rules — which may credit exported units against consumed units, bank them for a period, or pay a fixed export tariff depending on state policy.

Net metering is not “free unlimited electricity.” You still pay fixed charges, demand charges (if any), and consume grid power at night and on cloudy days.

Typical DISCOM steps

1. Application — often via PM Surya Ghar portal (pmsuryaghar.gov.in) plus DISCOM-specific forms
2. Feasibility / technical approval — DISCOM checks sanctioned load, transformer capacity, and safety
3. Installation — empanelled installer mounts panels and grid-tied inverter
4. Net meter installation — DISCOM replaces or adds a bi-directional meter
5. Commissioning & inspection — DISCOM verifies the plant before grid connection
6. CFA claim — PM Surya Ghar subsidy after successful commissioning (see PM Surya Ghar guide)

Timelines vary from weeks to months depending on DISCOM backlog and society NOC delays.

Net metering vs gross metering

Net metering (most common for domestic rooftop): export and import are netted on your bill per DISCOM rules.

Gross metering: all generation is metered separately; you buy all consumption at retail tariff and sell generation at a lower feed-in tariff. Less common for new domestic rooftop installs — confirm what your state tariff order allows today.

State and DISCOM variation

India does not have one national net-metering settlement formula. Examples of what differs:

• Whether banking of surplus units is allowed and for how long
• Settlement at retail tariff vs lower export tariff on surplus
• Capacity limits relative to sanctioned load
• Deemed approval thresholds for small residential plants

Always read your DISCOM’s live rooftop solar / net-metering circular before signing an installer quote. State hubs: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat.

Load enhancement trap

If applied PV capacity exceeds your sanctioned load, many DISCOMs trigger a load-enhancement process with charges. Do not treat that as free upsizing — factor it into net economics before ordering panels.

What net metering does not solve

• Power cuts — grid-tied plants shut off during outages unless you add batteries (different economics)
• Low bills — if your monthly bill is tiny, net metering paperwork may not pay back
• Shade and poor orientation — the meter cannot fix a bad roof

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